Clinton Beats Obama in West Virginia

The steady stream of superdelegates announcing their support for Obama, however, diminished the impact of Clinton's victory. Today alone, four superdelegates - including former Democratic National Committee Chairman Roy Romer - came out for Obama.

"The math is controlling," said Romer of his decision. "This race, I believe, is over."

That storyline was pushed by Obama's campaign in a memo distributed to reporters this afternoon. Obama's campaign conceded not just West Virginia but also Kentucky, which votes a week from today, to Clinton.

"But with 49 contests behind us and only six to go -- including several states where we expect to do well -- Barack Obama leads in pledged delegates, contest won, and superdelegates," argues the memo.

While Clinton will likely emerge from West Virginia with a double-digit gain among pledged delegates, she still faces a major math problem. Entering today's vote, Obama led Clinton in pledged delegates by 174 and had a 283-to-272.5 lead among superdelegates. In the past week, Obama has added 27 superdelegates - gains that effectively nullify Clinton's victory tonight.

In the face of such daunting odds, Clinton and her campaign remained resolute that her victory in West Virginia, when coupled with other primary wins in Rust-Belt states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, effectively make the argument that she is the stronger Democratic candidates against Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.